KNOXVILLE, November 13, 2015
The quarterfinals are set at the US-$ 50,000 Knoxville ATP Challenger taking place at the UT Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center.
Jared Donaldson knocked out third seed Tim Smyczek, winning 7-5, 7-6. The 19-year-old from Irvine saved nine of the ten break points he faced, converting two of his own to reach his eighth quarterfinals of the season after two hours and nine minutes of play. Donaldson will take on Liam Broady next. The 21-year-old British overcame Mischa Zverev, winning 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in one hour and 39 minutes.
Frances Tiafoe joins his fellow countryman into the stage of the final eight through a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 victory over Blaz Kavcic. The 17-year-old US-American fired 13 aces and won 75% of his first service points to prevail in one hour and 56 minutes setting his fifth quarterfinals appearance this year. Tiafoe will face fellow countryman Tenny Sandgren next. The 24-year-old from Gallatin beat with eighth seed Blaz Rola another Slovenian, winnnig 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Sandgren lost his service only once and converted two of his own break point chances to advance after one hour and 50 minutes.
Dennis Novikov emerged victorious from the all-US-American-affair with Stefan Kozlov, who gained his first win over a top 100-player this season by beating top-seed Malek Jaziri on Wednesday. The 22-year-old world number 142 defeated the teenager 6-3, 7-6 in one hour and 32 minutes meeting fifth seed James Duckworth next. The 23-year-old Australian fired 11 aces to down Sekou Bangoura in three sets, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and five minutes.
Bjorn Fratangelo ousted the tournament’s number six John-Patrick Smith with a 7-6, 6-4. The 22-year-old from Florida withstood 12 aces and captialized on two of his nine break point opportunities to seal victory in one hour and 41 minutes. Fratangelo will meet Daniel Evans, who knocked out second seed Austin Krajicek with a 6-3, 6-2 win. The 25-year-old Brit saved all of the three break points he faced and converted three of his own to prevail in 65 minutes.
